Metal Casting Zone

I was planning to make a few small parts out of aluminum and I was going to use sand casting. However if these turned out good I was going to try and sell them(im talkng about bmx bike parts) If I do start selling them I want a faster method of casting. Is there a way I can make a reusaable mold instead of packing with sand every time?

Thanks

yes there is a way but it belongs to the big boys!!!!! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ !!!! it involves making the mold from steel (called a die). there are some that do small production runs by the lost foam method where you use a cnc lathe to cut your patterns out of foam. you do however need to make every mold with sand. sometimes for a very limited use (5) a ceramic shell can be used but it will take ages to make it. once you are good and well organised it only takes 15 to 20 minutes to make a sand mold.

So I wouldnt be able to make one out of plaster or anything? I will probably just use sand but I wanted a quicker way

Making a wood pattern would speed things up. With the part, runners, sprue and risers marked out. Multiple flasks or multiple parts per mold if there's room.
Here's the Wiki on a simple sand pattern.

My company is one of the "big boys" referred to. Making a die costs thousands of dollars. The difference comes when you need a few thousand parts. Die Casting is not an option until you need 2000 parts. I figure that is the break even point between die casting and commercial sand casting.

Of course, if you sand cast them yourself, no one can be cheaper.